Page 54 of The Flame of Carson
“Exactly.He is all over the map.Stacey.Walt.Gage.Back to Stacey with the flowers and e-mails.”Ethan growled.
“That makes our job even harder to keep her safe.”Lance said, voicing what both men were thinking.
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Gage was leaning againstTony’s truck outside the Krav Maga gym.The three men were waiting on Stacey.When Gage and Morton had returned to Blackout after their meeting at the capitol, Ethan had filled him in about Grant and Tony joining him and Stacey.Yes, it still hurt being off his woman’s case, but he had also come to terms with it.After work, Tony had followed Gage to Stacey’s place where Gage dropped off his truck and then caught a ride to the gym with Tony.He would ride home with Stacey after they were done.
“Is Stacey going to do an actual workout or is she just observing?”Grant asked.
“She is actually working out.At least that is what the guy she talked to last week said.”Gage replied, keeping an eye out for Stacey’s car.
“You and Ethan said she’s a good fighter.”Tony said.
“Oh, I think she’s more than good buddy.”Gage grinned.“I bet she’d wipe the floor with you.”
Tony’s face broke into a huge grin, “You think?”
“I know it.Wait till you see her tonight.You will see what I mean.”Gage chuckled, knowing his boys had no idea what they were going to see.
Before Tony or Grant could speak, Stacey’s car pulled into the lot and next to Tony’s truck.When she climbed from the car, she was dressed in her white gee.Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun.She reached into the car and pulled out her black gym bag and walked right up to Gage.Ignoring Grant and Tony, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly.Gage couldn’t help himself and pulled her flush against him, keeping the kiss sweet.
“Hey babe.”
“Hey yourself.”She grinned, before looking over at Tony and Grant.“Hey you guys.”
“Hi doll.”Grant nodded.
“Your boy here was saying how you could probably wipe the floor with me.”Tony said, lifting a brow as he smirked.
“Is that a challenge Pace?”Stacey challenged, leading the men toward the doors.
Gage took Stacey’s bag as she walked off to find out who her sparring partner was going to be.The three guys took a seat on the bleachers, all three looking around the gym.Scattered around were maybe two dozen people in various stages of training.To the far back looked to be a small class of beginners.Several sparring couples were dotted throughout the main floor.Gage instantly liked the layout.It was similar to the training center at Blackout.He spotted Stacey and a man who looked to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties.Stacey led the man over.
“Guys, this is Alan Kerrigan.He’s the owner.Alan, this is my boyfriend Gage Carson and his co-workers Grant Whitney and Tony Pace.”Stacey introduced.
“Pleasure.”Alan smiled, extending his hand to Gage first.
Gage took Alan’s hand and the two men’s eyes locked for a moment.In that stare, Gage saw a familiar look.The look of a fellow soldier.“You served.”
Alan nodded, “I did.Was an Osprey pilot out of Cherry Point.Well, that’s where I ended my career anyway.Stacey tells me you three run Blackout.”
“Yep.Us three and two others founded it after we left MARSOC almost six years ago.”Tony replied, shaking Alan’s hand.
“Tony and I figured we’d tag along and maybe pick up a few things to pass on to our teams.”Grant added.
“That’s what she said.After you guys see how her session goes, if you want to sign up, I do offer discounts for vets.I also offer discounts to any of your staff from Blackout should they choose to join.Just let me know and I’ll ensure their accounts reflect the discount.”Alan declared.
“Thanks man, that’s nice of you.”Tony said, surprise in his voice.
“The pleasure would be mine.”Alan smiled, then turned to Stacey.“You ready to hit the mats?”
“You bet.It’s been a few months since I’ve sparred.Not since late August before I left New York.”Stacey answered.
Gage and the guys sat down again and studied Stacey and Alan.Gage hadn’t seen Stacey fight, since his first visit to her in New York and she had brought him to her old dojo.She had been amazing, and he was looking forward to seeing her in action again here.He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, as Stacey and Alan got into positions after they finished their stretching exercises.In seconds, he was transfixed on her.
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